Skies were dark over Bienfait this afternoon. (photo courtesy Michael Dumba)A short but productive thunderstorm rolled through the Estevan area this afternoon bringing some strong winds and rain. 

"We haven't heard any reports of a funnel cloud," shared John Paul Cragg with Environment Canada. "It's a possibility where these storms are forming that funnel clouds could form and there is always a chance with these severe thunderstorms of tornadic activity could occur."

"Right now we are not forecasting a high chance of seeing a tornado on the ground with the cluster of thunderstorms that you have run through your area that are now moving towards Carlyle. However, it is a possibility and these thunderstorms are severe so have put out a severe thunderstorm warning. especially talking about the risk of strong wind gusts, nickel-sized hail and heavy rain."

"Estevan saw strong winds and heavy rain with this system and it looks like that is moving northeast towards Carlyle."

He adds that around 20 mm of rain was recorded at the weather station at the Estevan Airport.

"But that's going to vary quite drastically where you are in and around Estevan as it often does with this kind of convective activity. Thunderstorms drop rain in very localized areas so you could have one area a kilometre away from another and one spot receives 20 mm of rain and another receives almost nothing."

Cragg adds that the storm should taper off by this evening.